Impact movement west

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Impact Movement West
Several factors triggered the migration of the westward, but the main ones included the acquisition of unused lands for beef, dairy, and crop productions. Many settlers took the opportunity of the Native Indian’s hunting way of life to enact laws which culminated in the removal of the Indians from their native homelands (Bos n.pag). Secondly, America was rapidly undergoing an industrial revolution, which meant that both renewable and non-renewable resources skyrocketed in demand (Library of Congress n.pag). For instance, factories required coal energy to power the production of goods for sale. Therefore, early settlers opened new frontiers as they expanded in search of new resources such as timber, copper, iron, and gold. Third, religious persecution was another factor which led to migration westward (Bradsher n.pag). Individually, the Mormons’ religious beliefs led to their widespread persecution and resulted in their movement and eventual settlement in the western territories (Potter and Wynell 362). Fourth, rapid industrialization needed transportation of farm produces interior western regions. Therefore, completion of the transcontinental railway in 1869 led to access of unclaimed lands because transportation of products and raw materials was assured. Lastly, acts such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Homestead Act of 1862 favored the migration westward because there were new lands to acquire (Bos n.

pag).
Impact of migration west on the environment
1. The migration resulted in a massive decline in wildlife populations, especially the buffalo, which was an invaluable resource.
2. Clearing of indigenous forests for resulted in uncontrolled deforestation.
3. Land degradation because of mining activities
Impact of westward migration on the Native Indian population
1. The Indians lost important hunting grounds because of their forced removal resulting from the harsh Indian Removal Act of 1830.
2. Armed confrontations with settlers led to massive deaths and eventual reduction in Native Indian populations.
3. The native Indian culture was disrupted and eventually vanished.
Works Cited
Bradsher, Greg. “How the West Was Settled: The 150-Year-Old Homestead Act Lured Americans Looking for a New Life and New Opportunities.” National Archives |, www.archives.gov/files/publications/prologue/2012/winter/homestead.pdf. Accessed 5 Sept. 2018.
Bos, Carole. “Indian Removal Act of 1830.” AwesomeStories.com, 23 Feb. 2015, www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Indian-Removal-Act-of-1830.Accessed 5 Sept. 2018.
Library of Congress. “The American West, 1865-1900 – American Memory Timeline- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources – Library of Congress.”Home | Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/riseind/west/. Accessed 5 Sept. 2018.
Potter, Lee Ann, and Wynell Schamel. “The Homestead Act of 1862.” Social Education 61, 6 (October 1997): 359-364.